Necropsy shows dog killed by animal, not skinned alive

Times Staff Report

Published: Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 9:36 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 10:39 p.m.

A necropsy showed Skip, a 9-year-old Dachshund found mutilated in the alley behind its owner’s house on Dec. 10, was injured in an animal attack, according to a news release Thursday from the Gadsden Police Department.

The dog’s body initially was examined by a local veterinarian, who believed the injuries were caused by a person and that the dog had been skinned alive.

However, the necropsy (equivalent to a human autopsy) determined the injuries were caused by an animal attack.

Further testing is planned because of the conflicting reports, according to the news release. However, while detectives say they now are unsure how the dog died, the case is being deactivated unless there are any new leads.

The Dachshund had been tied in the backyard of a residence on West Tuscaloosa Avenue and was there about 3 a.m. on Dec. 10, Gadsden Police Sgt. Mike Hooks said at the time. It was found in the alley after daybreak.

John Michael Smith, 33, was named as a person of interest in the investigation of the dog’s death, but never was officially listed as a suspect by police. Smith had to be placed in protective custody in the Etowah County Detention Center after being arrested on unrelated charges when threats were made against him.

Local contributors donated $900 to a reward fund for information leading to the arrest of the person who killed the dog. That money will be refunded. Donors will be contacted by the police department’s Criminal Investigation Division on the refund process.

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